Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-02

THE NEW DISTRICT JUDGE.
introduced TO His Future Colleagues.
A sRlE1 SKETCH OF THE ArronrrR-wHAr Is SAID
OF BIN, ETC.
MI. montgomery was last evening the recipient
OF great many congratulatory calls at his rooms
at the Ebbitt, and this morning the telegrams
came pouring In from Michigan. The new Judge
mas great many friends In this city, as well as
"a Mlcnlgan, 1rom which State he was appointed
commissioner OF Patents March 81, 1885, During
MS lncum0ency OF that Office his genial nature and
peasant address made him very much liked. He
Is man OF broad gauge ideas with the mental
aptltude OF going straight to the point at issue.
he mas not the genius for details which Is neces-
sary 10r politician, and In the management OF
the patronage OF his Office he has not proved a
Office, almost Immediately after turning them out
Cnan any otner man In Official life perhaps, and
tnis t may be attributed to his good nature. BY
tn9se VINO know hun best he Is said TO possess
luolclal MIND In an eminent degree It was his
intention to return to the practice OF his profession
a. Gs IN Micngan soon his resignation
was persuaded to accept the District judgship.
,,a IN personal appearance Mr.. Montgomery might
feet IN height with portly girth, which VIII add
10 rather than detract from his judicial appear-
anGe', @ S ne is quick OF speech, has pleasant smile.
bench. - ~'-0 ->'0''-0'
AT THE COURTHOUSE.
Tnls morning Judge Hagner called at the Ebbitt
House and introduced himself to his new associate
lie then escorted Mr.. Montgomery to the court
mouse, which he entered for the first time and
presented MIN to Judges Cox, James and Mer-
rlck. short conference was held and Mr. Mont
g0mery gone was informed that there was no pressing
cases that would interfere with his delaying his
taxing his place upon the bench for a couple OF
weeks ne needed that much time to settle up
ms private affairs Mr.. Montgomery said that he
would like to take that much time and that he
nad telegraphed to ex-Representative Hall, of
| Iowa, VINO was to succeed him as Commissioner of
faGentS, 10 KNOW when he would come to this CITY,
HIS resignation as Commissioner would take effect
upon Inc appointment of his successor. After
looking ABOUT the cOurt-rOOmS and chatting with
ILLS ne" associates, Mr. Montgomery came
TO THE PATENT OFFICE,
where he was at once buSily engaged in opening
MS mall. A STAR reported chatted with him while
he read his letters. MI. Montgomery said that he
| was much pleased with what he had seen at the
| courthouse, and had been most cordially and
pleasantly received by the Judges. He said that
ne did not expect to go to Michigan before assum-
ing tne duties OF the new office, and he thought
| that ten days or two weeks would be sufficient
tlme 1or him to attend to what private business
| ne na9. Inc conversation was constantly inter-
| rupted by on1cfals and others of the Department
who came In to offer their congratulations
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
Mr. Martin Van Buren Montgomery was born in
Eaton County, Michigan october 20, 1s4O, and was
| reared there with no other educational training
| than that afforded by the public schools, inter-
Se anH ~1e hn pieany Oh exercise at the
enlisted In the I'd Michigan cavalry, only to serve
| therein but few months. having contracted a
which prevented his return to the field Of mill
tary operations. Arriving at a suitable age, he
applied a himself i1 assduousy to the study OF the
admitted to the bar, at which he profited largely
| In the way OF experience by coming in contact
with many OF the most eminent men OF the pro-
! fessiOn whose renown was co-extens1ve with the
country ITSELF In 1870 Mr. Montgomery entered
upon the domain OF politics, and after most ex-
citing contest the districts being strongly repub-
lican, was, by good majority, elected to the
State legislature, In which it seems one term
proved enough to satisfy his ambition for legiSa-
| tive honors. This was the first and only public
position he had ever held until In 1876 the demo-
Gratis OF his district selected him to represent them
as delegate to the st: Louis National Democratic
Convention at which Mr.. Ttlden received the NOM
nation for the Presidency. From that time he
for himself good reputation as a careful. pains,
taking and, therefore, successful lawyer. When
President Cleveland was searching about Tor q
name OF Mr.. Montgomery was suggested, and the
appointment and confirmation followed, without
any sign OF solicitation on the part OF the ap-
potntee.
LAWRENCE GARDENERS VIEWS
MI. Lawrence Gardner, the president Of the
Columbia Democratic Club in conversation this
| morning with STAR reporter In regard to the
appointment said: 'T have met Mr.. Montgomery,
| resident of the district, and that sums up INV
| objections to the appointment. 1t has been
| understood for some time past that Mr. Mont
gOmery would receive the appointment, although
the names OF able and competent residents of the
District were brought to the attention OF the
President. The democratic clubs in the District
and those who have been active in politics, have
not taken any steps in this matter, preferrtng to
keep aloOf SO that their cooperation could not be
Vpesc<1o yaf,f fSrffv
man. There Is no reason why District man
should not have received the appointment, and II
there had M been any desire expressed by the people
vacant judgeship, believe he would have got it.
The appointment does not meet with the ap-
proval OF the citizens OF the District generally,
but that does not make any difference, it seems,
with the powers that be- and the only thing to do
Is TO submit as gracefully as possible"
WHAT JAS. l. NORRIS SAYS.
Mr.. Jas. l. Norris, president OF the Jackson
Democratic Association, who as a patent attor-
ney, has been brought into contact with Mr. Mont
gomery speaks very highly Of the abilities OF the
new jndge, and expresses the opinion that he will
acQut himself In his pOsitionw1th credit TO himself
and satisfaction to all those who have business
before him.
WHAT MEMBERS OF THE BAR SAY
Mr.. W. Pierce Bell, who practices principally
before the Patent ONCE, says he knows Mr.. Mont
gomery as possessing a strong judicial mind
quick In perception of points, and fair in all mat
tiers. The appointment is wise politically and 1u-
dicially: This appointment makes our bench q,
national one"
Mr.. Payne said that the new judge being law
yer OF ability and gentleman OF high character,
he felt satisfied with the appointment.
Mr.. B. G. Lovejoy said: A1 have only a slight ac-
Quatntance with Judge Montgomery. The impress
s1Ons made by him were very favorable. He seemed
to be gentleman OF dignined bearing, genial, In
telltgent and liberal minded. Mutual friends
spoke very highly Of him before his name was
connected with judicial candidacy. believe that
the bar will be more than pleased with his ap-
pOintment when they become acquainted with
him"
Nearly all the members Of the bar who were
spoken to on the subject had good word for the
appointment. but large proportion expressed re-
gret8 that District man was not selected.
STREET APPROPRIATION.
A Strict Construction Of the Muddled
District Bill.
CONTROLLED DURHAM ADHRRES no HIS FORNKR NTKR-
IRRITATION OF THE ACT.
First Controller Durham has replied to the letter
from the District Commissioners, dated March 29th
| published in TIE starr, making inquiry as to the
| use Of the appropriation for the improvement Of
streets and avenues He says: 81 have carefully
Il